BUFO MARINE TOAD

Habitat & Range
The Bufo marine toad is native to Central and South America, and has been introduced to various islands throughout Oceania and the Caribbean.

Identification
The marine toad is relatively large, with the females measuring longer than males at 4 to 6 inches in length. Their skin is dry and covered in warts. Distinct ridges rise above the eyes and run down the snout. Their enlarged parotid glands that begin behind the eyes and run down their sides can exude a poisonous milky substance when the toad is attacked.

Reproduction & Lifespan
Bufo marine toads can lay anywhere from 8,000 to 25,000 eggs in a single mating season. Their eggs float in water on jelly-like strings, and depending on the surrounding temperature, the tadpoles will hatch in as early as 48 hours or as long as a week. The toad’s lifespan is 10 to 15 years in the wild and up to 15 years in captivity.

Fantastic FactAKA, The Cane Toad
The marine toad was introduced to Puerto Rican plantations in the early 20th century in the hope that it would eradicate the beetle infestation that was ravaging sugar cane crops. The campaign was so successful that the toad was introduced to other countries in the Pacific region in order to control agricultural pests.